Rail Securing System

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system (1) for securing a rail (2) by pinching the rail, comprising: a spring (3) bearing on the rail base (2a), a means (5) for securing the spring to a structure (4) carrying the rail, characterized in that the spring means bears against a device (6) for adjusting the spring comprising: a means (7) for supporting the spring, intended to be in contact with an edge of the rail, the spring being unable to move in translation with the support means, a means (8) for anchoring to the structure supporting the rail, a means (9) for adjusting the position of the support means with respect to the anchoring means.

The present invention relates to the field of devices for securing railroad rails and, more specifically, to the field of devices for securing by pinching the rail.

In the railroad field, it is common practice for the rails to be secured to the ties that support them using attachment systems that pinch the base of the rail. These systems come into abutment on the upper face of the base in order to directly or indirectly clamp the rail against the tie.

Conventionally, the part that is in abutment on the upper face of the base is of the spring type and is secured to the tie by means of a specific securing means, for example, a coach screw. The most commonly used springs are thus leaf, coil or helical springs.

Within the context of an operation for securing the railroad rail to the tie, in addition to the vertical clamping of the base of the rail, it is also essential that the rail is securely retained in position while preventing any lateral translation movement. This position retention is then conventionally implemented by means of one or more stops, which are also secured to the tie by the coach screw, and which block the base of the rail on either side of said rail.

However, since the position of the stop is dependent on the position of the coach screw, for a long time the adjustment of the position of the rail has been based on selecting suitable stops from a set of different sized parts.

In order to overcome this problem, a securing device using a stop equipped with ramps has been developed. This mechanism of ramps allows an edge of the stop to be kept in contact with the edge of the rail while clearing the position of the coach screw. However, under the action of the ramp, the edge of the stop is moved and modifies the position of the spring in abutment on the upper face of the base of the rail. This modified position then can be the source of an alteration in the quality of the pinching of the rail.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage by proposing a rail securing system that allows the pinch point of the base of the rail to be maintained during the transverse adjustment of the positional retention of the rail.

To this end, the aim of the invention is a system for securing a rail by pinching the upper face of the base of the rail, comprising:

-   -   a spring means capable of coming into abutment on the upper face         of the base of the rail;     -   a means for securing the spring means to a support structure of         the rail,

characterized in that the spring means comes into abutment on a device for adjusting the spring means comprising:

-   -   a means for supporting the spring means intended to be in         contact with a lateral edge of the base of the rail, the spring         means being mounted on the support means and being         translationally secured with the means for supporting the spring         means;     -   a means for anchoring to the support structure of the rail;     -   a means for adjusting the position of the support means relative         to the anchoring means.

The invention also relates to a method for implementing the rail securing system according to the invention, characterized in that the method comprises at least:

-   -   a step of pressurizing the anchoring means with the means for         supporting the spring means by the means for securing the spring         means;     -   a step of moving the adjustment means, which, by means of an         engagement interface, causes the means for supporting the spring         means to slide relative to the anchoring means.

The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to at least one preferred embodiment, which is provided by way of a non-limiting example, and is described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is the schematic representation of a first example of a securing system of the invention in various positions relative to the pinched rail;

FIG. 2 is the schematic representation of the first example of a securing system as per a first section plane perpendicular to the axis of the secured rail;

FIG. 3 is the schematic representation of the first example of a securing system as per a second section plane perpendicular to the axis of the secured rail;

FIG. 4 is the schematic representation of the first example of a securing system as per the second section plane perpendicular to the axis of the secured rail, showing a movement of the means of the adjustment device;

FIG. 5 is the schematic representation of a lower view of the adjustment device;

FIG. 6 is the schematic representation of a lower view of the adjustment device showing a movement of the means of the adjustment device;

FIG. 7 is the schematic representation of the first example of a securing system as per a section perpendicular to the axis of the secured rail;

FIG. 8 is the schematic representation of a second example of a securing system as per a section perpendicular to the axis of the secured rail;

FIG. 9 is the schematic representation of a third example of a securing system as per a section perpendicular to the axis of the secured rail.

The invention relates to a system 1 for securing a rail 2 by pinching the upper face of the base 2 a of the rail 2 and by laterally blocking the rail 2, comprising:

-   -   a spring means 3 capable of coming into abutment on the upper         face of the base 2 a of the rail 2;     -   a means 5 for securing the spring means 3 to a support structure         4 of the rail 2,

characterized in that the spring means 3 comes into abutment on a device 6 for adjusting the spring means 3 comprising:

-   -   a means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 intended to be in         contact with a lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2, the         spring means 3 being mounted on the support means 7 and being         translationally secured with the means 7 for supporting the         spring means 3;     -   a means 8 for anchoring to the support structure 4 of the rail         2;     -   a means 9 for adjusting the position of the support means 7         relative to the anchoring means 8.

It is to be noted that the upper face of the base 2 a of the rail 2 can be pinched through an intermediate part 10 positioned on the upper surface of the base 2 a. By way of an example, this intermediate part 10 can be an electrical and/or resilient isolator for isolating against any vibrations of the rail.

It is to be noted that the anchoring means 8 comprises at least one surface for interacting with a support structure 4 of the rail 2. This interaction surface comprises at least one profile adapted to engage with the surface of the support structure 4 of the rail 2. This profile can be produced, for example, by a projection or a tooth in the vicinity of the interaction surface of the anchoring means 8 that engages with the surface of the support structure 4 of the rail 2. By virtue of this particular interaction surface, the anchoring means 8 optimizes the rigid connection of the securing system of the invention with the support structure 4 of the rail 2.

It is to be noted that the support structure 4 of the rail 2 is a rigid structure that directly or indirectly supports the rail 2 by means of a sole plate or a wedge, for example.

It also is to be noted that various means of the securing system of the invention can be integrated in the same structure. Thus, the same structure can fulfil the functions of various means of the system of the invention. By way of an example, the means 5 for securing the spring means 3 and the anchoring means 8 can form the same structure. Similarly, the anchoring means 8 and the support structure 4 of the rail 2 can be constructed in the form of the same part.

The support structure 4 of the rail 2 can be produced by a tie or by any rigid surface on which the rail 2 that is secured by the securing system 1 of the invention rests, for example, a tie, a concrete surface, a metal bearing plate, etc. The support structure 4 of the rail 2 also can be associated with an isolating and/or damping sole plate that could be positioned between the lower face of the rail 2 and a rigid surface of the support structure 4.

The rail 2 securing system 1 according to the invention thus uses an adjustment device 6, which allows, on the one hand, the rail to be maintained on its support by means of an anchoring means 8 and, on the other hand, the spring means 3 to be kept assembled with the support means 7 so that, during the adjustment of the support means 7, the spring means 3 remains held in position relative to the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in contact with the lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2, directly or indirectly by means of an electrical and/or resilient isolator, for example.

According to a particular construction feature, the means 7 for supporting the spring 3 and the anchoring means 8 are superposed so that the support means 7 is mounted directly or indirectly in abutment on an upper face of the anchoring means 8.

According to an additional particular construction feature, the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 is slidably mounted on the anchoring means in a substantially horizontal plane and along an axis perpendicular to the edge of the system intended to be in contact with the rail 2, i.e. to the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in abutment against the edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

With the adjustment of the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 being undertaken along a substantially horizontal axis, the adjustment device 6 then allows the means 7 for supporting the spring 3 to slide or slip on the anchoring means 8 so as to move the support means 7 and the spring means 3 relative to the anchoring means 8.

According to a preferred particular construction feature, the anchoring means 8 interacts with the support means 7 in the form of a slide rail. The anchoring means 8 has a part forming a substantially straight structure positioned on the support structure 4 of the rail 2. The support means 7 is then slidably mounted on this straight part of the anchoring means 8.

In the adjustment device 6, the sliding or slipping of the support means 7 relative to the anchoring means 8 is controlled and adjusted by means of the adjustment means 9, which comprise respective interaction interfaces with the means 7 for supporting the spring 3 and with the anchoring means 8.

Thus, in the securing system 1 of the invention, the spring means 3 that engages with the adjustment device 6 only interacts with the support means 7 intended to be in contact against the lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2. By movably linking the spring means 3 with the support means 7, the spring means 3 is in a constant position relative to the edge of the system intended to be in contact with the rail 2, i.e. the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in abutment against the edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2. Similarly, the point of abutment of the spring means 3 on the upper face of the base 2 a of the rail 2 also remains constant irrespective of the adjustment position of the support means 7 relative to the anchoring means 8 in the adjustment device 6.

According to a particular construction feature, the spring means 3 and the support means 7 are assembled in order to be translationally secured together, at least along an axis perpendicular to the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in abutment against a lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

According to a specific feature of this particular construction feature, the spring means 3 and the support means 7 are assembled in order to be translationally secured together along a plurality of axes and to be rotationally secured.

According to a specific construction feature, the spring means 3 is mounted translationally secured with the support means 7.

According to another particular construction feature of the invention, the rail 2 securing system 1 is characterized in that the spring means 3 comprises at least:

-   -   a first part providing an interface for interacting with the         securing means 5, so that the spring means 3 is kept in abutment         on the support means 7 by the securing means 5;     -   a second part comprising a portion intended to interact with an         upper face of the base 2 a of the rail 2, so that the         interaction of the securing means 5 on the spring means 3 in no         way or only marginally affects the deformation of the second         part.

The spring means 3 is kept in abutment against the support means 7 under the action of the securing means 5. According to a first construction example, this continued abutment can be implemented by crushing the end of the first part of the spring means 3 against the upper surface of the support means 7 so that the spring means 3 and the support means are completely secured together. According to a particular construction feature of this first example, the first part of the spring means 3 engages with the surface of the support means 7 in the vicinity of a surface portion forming a matching structure. Such a matching structure can be constructed in the form of a housing on the surface of the means 7 for supporting the spring 3 and intended to accommodate at least one portion of the first part of the spring means 3.

According to a second construction example, this continued abutment can be produced by a controlled pressure of the securing means 5 on the spring means 3, so that the spring 3 is in abutment against the upper surface of the support means 7, without the first part of the spring means 3 being in abutment against the upper surface of the support means 7.

The second part of the spring means 3, which is able to be deformed, deforms from a point of interaction forming a point of abutment of the spring 3 on the support means 7 with which it is associated. Furthermore, the point of interaction of the securing means 5 on the spring means 3 does not affect the deformation of the second part of the spring means 3, so that a modification of the position of the securing means 5 relative to the first part of the spring means 3 and/or relative to the support means 7, within the context of the adjustment of the system of the invention, does not modify the deformation of the second part of the support means 3 and therefore the action of the support means 3 on the upper surface of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

According to a construction example, the second part of the spring means 3 is produced in the form of a least one arm, a first end of which is intended to be in abutment against the upper surface of the base 2 a of the rail 2 and a second end of which produces a point of interaction forming a point of abutment of the spring 3 on the means 7 for supporting the spring 3.

According to a non-limiting particular construction feature of the securing system 1 of the invention, the spring means 3 and the support means 7 are produced in the form of the same element able to fulfil the functions that are specific to these two means 3, 7. The spring means 3 and the support means 7 thus can be combined into the same part.

The adjustment of the support means 7 relative to the anchoring means 8 is carried out by means of an adjustment means 9, which also allows the support means 7 to be maintained in an adjusted position relative to the anchoring means 8.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the securing means 5 is produced by a coach screw and/or a nut matching a threaded shaft. This securing means 5 tensions the spring means 3 by moving it closer to the support structure 4 of the rail 2, at the same time, part of the spring means 3 comes into abutment against the base 2 a of the rail 2 and thus enables pinching of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

According to a particular construction feature, the fixing means 5 is mounted passing through at least the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 and/or the anchoring means 8. Thus, the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 and the anchoring means 8 each comprise an equivalent orifice or housing, through which the securing means 5 is disposed.

The securing means 5 is secured with the support structure 4 of the rail 2 and/or with the anchoring means 8. However, the spring means 3 and the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 are mounted to freely translate along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the securing means 5. The spring means 3 and the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 are thus detachable and adjustable relative to the position of the securing means 5.

According to a preferred construction embodiment, the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 has an orifice, which is of elongated shape, for example, oblong or oval, and through which the securing means 5 passes. Such a shape allows the position of the support means 7 to be adjusted relative to the securing means 5. According to an additional particular construction feature, the spring means 3 also has an orifice or a housing of elongated shape, for example, oblong or oval, in order to allow it to move relative to the securing means 5 in an identical manner to the adjustment of the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3.

According to a particular construction feature of the invention, the securing means 5 of the spring means 3 is secured with the support structure 4 of the rail 2 by means of the anchoring means 8. According to this feature, the anchoring means 8 is secured to the support structure 4 of the rail 2. The securing means 5 is subsequently secured on the anchoring means 8 and allows a pressure from the spring means 3 and/or from the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 to be exerted on the anchoring means 8.

With the anchoring means 8 being intended to be securely mounted with the support structure 4 of the rail 2, the orifice through which the securing means 5 is positioned exhibits a shape that matches the section of the securing means 5.

According to a particular construction feature, the anchoring means 8 comprises at least one element 8 a projecting on the lower face thereof that is intended to be in contact with the surface of the support structure 4 of the rail 2. This projecting element 8 a is intended to interact with the surface of the support structure 4 of the rail 2 so as to minimize, and even prevent, the anchoring means 8 from slipping relative to this support structure 4 of the rail 2.

According to a specific construction feature, this projecting element 8 a is in the form of a beveled tooth forming an angle of approximately 30° relative to a reference axis produced by a vertical. However, other embodiments of the projecting element 8 a can be produced.

According to one embodiment, the support means 7 comprises at least one interface forming a stop 7 a for interacting with at least one portion of the spring means 3 and moving said means in a substantially horizontal plane. This interface forming a stop 7 a is then disposed in order to be in abutment against a part of the spring means 3 that is located opposite the part of the spring means 3 in abutment on the rail 2. The interface forming a stop 7 a of the support means 7 blocks the movement of the spring means 3 by preventing its horizontal spacing apart relative to the rail 2. Preferably, this interface forming a stop 7 a is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the edge of the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3, intended to be in contact with a lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

The adjustment means 9 interacts in the vicinity of respective interfaces with, on the one hand, the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 and, on the other hand, the anchoring means 8. The adjustment means 9 is arranged to produce and/or maintain a gap between two dedicated and respective parts of the support means 7 and of the anchoring means 8.

According to a particular embodiment of the adjustment means 9, said means comprises at least one interface forming a stop 9 a blocking the movement, in a substantially horizontal plane, of a first element of a list comprising the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8, i.e. of a first one of the two elements, namely the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8. Preferably, this stop interface 9 a of the adjustment means 9 is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the edge of the means 7 for supporting the spring means 3 intended to be in contact with a lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

According to an additional particular production feature of the adjustment means 9, said means comprises an interface 9 b for engaging with the second element of the list comprising the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8, i.e. the second one of the two elements, namely the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8.

According to a first construction embodiment, the engagement interface 9 b is produced by at least one ramp intended to engage with a matching surface supported by the second element of the list comprising the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8. This ramp mechanism, in which the adjustment means 9 operates, thus allows the position of the support means 7 to be adjusted relative to the anchoring means 8. The ramp mechanism also allows a determined position to be maintained between the first one of the two elements that interacts with the interface forming a stop 9 a of the adjustment means 9 and the second one of the elements that interacts in the vicinity of the engagement interface 9 b of the adjustment means 9 that form the ramp mechanism.

According to a particular feature of this first construction embodiment, the ramp of the engagement interface 9 b has a surface forming an angle relative to the interface of the adjustment means forming a stop 9 a. According to a preferred construction, the surface of the engagement interface is disposed in a plane that forms a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle with an axis perpendicular to the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in contact with a lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2.

According to an alternative particular feature of this first construction embodiment, the ramp of the engagement interface 9 b uses a flat surface supporting at least one guide rail 9 c oriented in a direction forming a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle with an axis perpendicular to the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in contact with a lateral edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2. This guide rail 9 c produces a slide ramp, along which a second one of the two elements, namely the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8, moves by means of a matching interface.

According to a specific feature of this first construction embodiment, the ramp of the engagement interface 9 b comprises a plurality of guide rails 9 c oriented parallel to each other and supported by a flat surface in order to interact with a matching interface supported by the second element of the list comprising the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8, with this interaction allowing, on the one hand, firstly, prior positioning of the adjustment means 9 relative to the support means 7 and, on the other hand, secondly, adjustment by sliding the adjustment means 9 in order to operate the ramps of the engagement interface 9 b. During the prior positioning, arranging the guide rails 9 c of the adjustment means 9 with those of the matching interface according to a selected arrangement allows suitable positioning of the adjustment means 9 to be carried out, which subsequently can be adjusted by sliding the adjustment means 9 in order to activate the ramp with the second element of the list comprising the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8.

In such an arrangement, the engagement interface 9 b can be in the form of a flat grooved surface along the axis of movement of the second element. The second element then has a surface matching this flat grooved engagement surface 9 b.

According to a second alternative construction embodiment, the engagement interface 9 b is produced by at least one thread oriented in a direction forming a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle with an axis perpendicular to the edge of the system 1 intended to be in contact with the rail 2, i.e. with the edge of the support means 7 intended to be in abutment against the edge of the base 2 a of the rail 2. The engagement interface 9 b of the adjustment means 9 is then arranged to interact with a tapped orifice positioned on the second one of the two elements, namely the support means 7 and the anchoring means 8.

The invention also relates to an application of the rail 2 securing system 1 according to the invention to the railroad field.

The invention also relates to a method for implementing the rail 2 securing system 1 according to the invention, said method comprising at least:

-   -   a step of pressurizing the anchoring means 8 with the means 7         for supporting the spring means 3 by the means 5 for securing         the spring means 3;     -   a step of moving the adjustment means 9, which, by means of an         engagement interface 9 b, causes the means 7 for supporting the         spring means 3 to slide relative to the anchoring means 8.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly in terms of the composition of the various elements or by substitution of equivalent techniques, without as such departing from the scope of protection of the invention. 

1. A system for securing a rail by pinching the upper face of the base of the rail and by laterally blocking the rail, comprising: a spring means capable of coming into abutment on the upper face of the base of the rail; a means for securing the spring means to a support structure of the rail, wherein the spring means come into abutment on a device for adjusting the spring means comprising: a means for supporting the spring means intended to be in contact with a lateral edge of the base of the rail, the spring means being mounted on the support means (7) and being translationally secured with the means for supporting the spring means; a means for anchoring to the support structure of the rail; a means for adjusting the position of the support means relative to the anchoring means.
 2. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means is mounted passing through at least the means for supporting the spring means and/or the anchoring means.
 3. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring means comprises at least: a first part providing an interface for interacting with the securing means, so that the spring means is kept in abutment on the support means by the securing means; a second part comprising a portion intended to interact with an upper face of the base of the rail, so that the interaction of the securing means on the spring means in no way or only marginally affects the deformation of the second part.
 4. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchoring means comprises at least one element projecting on the lower face thereof, intended to be in contact with the surface of the support structure of the rail.
 5. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means comprises at least one interface forming a stop for interacting with at least one portion of the spring means and moving said means in a substantially horizontal plane.
 6. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means is mounted, directly or indirectly, in abutment on an upper face of the anchoring means.
 7. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for supporting the spring means is slidably mounted on the anchoring means in a substantially horizontal plane and along an axis perpendicular to the edge of the system intended to be in contact with the rail, i.e. the edge of the support means intended to be in abutment against the base of the rail.
 8. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment means comprises at least one interface forming a stop blocking the movement, in a substantially horizontal plane, of a first element of a list comprising the support means and the anchoring means.
 9. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adjustment means comprises an interface for engaging with the second element of the list comprising the support means and the anchoring means.
 10. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the engagement interface is produced by at least one ramp intended to engage with a matching surface supported by the second element of the list comprising the support means and the anchoring means.
 11. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ramp of the engagement interface uses a flat surface supporting at least one guide rail oriented in a direction forming a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle with an axis perpendicular to the edge of the support means intended to be in contact with a lateral edge of the base of the rail.
 12. The rail securing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the engagement interface is produced by at least one thread oriented in a direction forming a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle with an axis perpendicular to the edge of the system intended to be in contact with the rail.
 13. A method for implementing the rail securing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises at least: a step of pressurizing the anchoring means with the means for supporting the spring means by the means for securing the spring means; a step of moving the adjustment means, which, by means of an engagement interface, causes the means for supporting the spring means to slide relative to the anchoring means. 